ONE Wilmslow woman’s efforts to help soldiers fighting in Afghanistan has led to a surprise surge in support from residents across the town.

Joan Birtles, of Carlton Avenue, in Wilmslow, was so moved by the plight of British troops that she decided to sign up to the Support Our Soldiers campaign, which sends shoe box parcels with morale-boosting items out to servicemen and women.

But she says she was shocked by the amount of support she has received and says she has been inundated with contributions from people across the town.

She said: "It’s been fantastic to hear from people who want to do what they can for our lads and girls in war zones. We take for granted how much comfort a simple bar of soap can bring, but the charity has had letters of thanks from men and women who are so grateful to receive little things that remind them of home. I was thrilled to take 64 boxes we had miraculously collected to the regional co-ordinator Carol King, in Wigan, to be sent out to Afghanistan."

The Support Our Soldiers charity was set up six years ago to send parcels out to British troops fighting in Iraq. It received an official charity status in 2007, expanded to cover military personnel serving in Afghanistan. It also provides counselling to relatives.